zvoidx:I've always wondered; when someone camps out to be one of the first in line; on the morning of the sale does the store always honor this? I've seen so many videos of BF where walls of people are rushing the store/how would camping out really matter?

Hyppy:I was going to post some snark about all this, but actually took the time to read the article.

FTA:"Last year, I came on Tuesday and I was 17th in line," she said. "They only had 15 TVs."

I think I can understand where she's coming from on this one. I wouldn't be waiting in line for 3 days for a few hundred bucks off a TV, but it would really suck to go through that and NOT get your cheap TV.

The best comment I've heard this year about Thanksgiving is that it's, for many or some, the one day out of a year we actually give thanks for what we already have. Then, the very next day it's an all-out brawl for shelved goods. Is there something wrong here?My girlfriend and I will be celebrating Buy Nothing Day. Her brother is dropping in, the one who wasn't invited to a large/ expensive family member wedding because he's gay. We plan on making this a quiet and fun occasion with excellent food and storytelling. I honestly wish everyone here time better spent.

zvoidx:I've always wondered; when someone camps out to be one of the first in line; on the morning of the sale does the store always honor this? I've seen so many videos of BF where walls of people are rushing the store/how would camping out really matter?

Some time before opening, Best Buy sends an employee to walk down the line and offers each person up to 2 tickets for doorbuster items of their choice. To clarify, a ticket is for a specific doorbuster item (e.g. maybe you are there for the TV that's half price, another guy wants a ticket for the cheap laptop, you would receive different tickets).

The doorbuster items are not on shelves but instead must be claimed at a special booth by showing your ticket. Mobbing the front door at opening time won't do you any good because you don't have any tickets for the good prices.

Despite what you're reading here in this thread, most stores do genuinely have 1 or 2 deals that are truly exceptional, and I would totally consider such deals if there was 0 hassle involved. But it's not 0 hassle, it's more like near-infinite hassle, so I do not shop on Black Friday. Though if you wait until the middle of the afternoon, it's just like any other day of the Christmas shopping season - crowded but bearable with no significant deals to be had.

The best comment I've heard this year about Thanksgiving is that it's, for many or some, the one day out of a year we actually give thanks for what we already have. Then, the very next day it's an all-out brawl for shelved goods. Is there something wrong here?

My girlfriend and I will be celebrating Buy Nothing Day. Her brother is dropping in, the one who wasn't invited to a large/ expensive family member wedding because he's gay. We plan on making this a quiet and fun occasion with excellent food and storytelling.

You guys finally going to put your back issues of Adbusters into binders and then not watch TV?

antidumbass:The best comment I've heard this year about Thanksgiving is that it's, for many or some, the one day out of a year we actually give thanks for what we already have. Then, the very next day it's an all-out brawl for shelved goods. Is there something wrong here?

I don't see the problem. "Give thanks for what we already have" usually means excessive over-consumption of food & alcohol for most people. Extending it a day to over-consume shelved goods seems to entirely fit the spirit of the holiday.

I just cannot imagine ever waiting in line for days to buy a product that wasn't life sustaining.

And screw going to the mall / stores near the holidays. Internet shopping FTW.

At this point in our family buying gifts is kind of dumb. Everyone is older and has $$ so if they really want something they buy it themselves. It basically comes down to exchanging booze and gift cards (which is fine by me). It is more rewarding just getting everyone together for laughs and some food.

The best comment I've heard this year about Thanksgiving is that it's, for many or some, the one day out of a year we actually give thanks for what we already have. Then, the very next day it's an all-out brawl for shelved goods. Is there something wrong here?My girlfriend and I will be celebrating Buy Nothing Day. Her brother is dropping in, the one who wasn't invited to a large/ expensive family member wedding because he's gay. We plan on making this a quiet and fun occasion with excellent food and storytelling. I honestly wish everyone here time better spent.

Myria:sigdiamond2000: If you ever find yourself camping out overnight to buy something that isn't absolutely necessary for your survival, just kill yourself. You obviously have nothing to live for anyway.

I camped out for the US PS2 launch, but only overnight. It was known that it was not going to be available for at least a week after that initial sale due to not enough being made. Also, I had reasons for getting a day one PS2 beyond merely playing games.

But waiting a week just to get a slightly lower price? Ridiculous.

I camped out for the Xbox 360 launch. Then I sold it the next day for $700 and used the money to basically get a free one a few weeks later.